Re-covered my Steering Wheel - photos inside
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After much consideration I finally pulled off the steering wheel on my M5 and had it re-covered. After seeing how easy and relatively cheap it was I now wonder why I considered it for so long.
I stained the leather on the wheel with white paint and it drove me crazy to look at it every day. So I got a price for a new wheel from the dealer (about $600 installed) and I called around and found a leather upholstery place here in Miami that does custom work. They quoted me $335 over the phone for a simple re-covering of the wheel, but that would not have changed much for my eyes. So I went in and talked to the guy, Fred, about doing something special. We talked about Alcantarra and different leathers. I told him it needed to have the M-stiching colors and pattern. I told him I wanted it just a bit thicker and I asked him if it could be ready in one day turnaround. The answer to all my comments was "no problem". He did the work for $385. For something that connects you to the car and you touch at all times while driving this was one of the best mods ever for a small investment. He did mention the Alcantara could wear a little more than the leather, but in a couple of years I can always have it redone. I picked the materials and basically told him how I wanted the design. Below are the photos.
By the way, removing the wheel is a piece of cake. 10 minutes max. I disconnected the negative battery terminal and didn't even lose my radio setting. I did it with the help of a DIY on this forum.
Sorry for the quality of the photos, my phone is the only thing I had handy at work.
BTW, I have another thread going about the roundel being dented. It used to be convex until I dented it. So I pushed it in all the way and it looks pretty good now, much better than before. So now instead of having a convex roundel I have a concave roundel. Free and easy fix to the dented roundel issue.
I stained the leather on the wheel with white paint and it drove me crazy to look at it every day. So I got a price for a new wheel from the dealer (about $600 installed) and I called around and found a leather upholstery place here in Miami that does custom work. They quoted me $335 over the phone for a simple re-covering of the wheel, but that would not have changed much for my eyes. So I went in and talked to the guy, Fred, about doing something special. We talked about Alcantarra and different leathers. I told him it needed to have the M-stiching colors and pattern. I told him I wanted it just a bit thicker and I asked him if it could be ready in one day turnaround. The answer to all my comments was "no problem". He did the work for $385. For something that connects you to the car and you touch at all times while driving this was one of the best mods ever for a small investment. He did mention the Alcantara could wear a little more than the leather, but in a couple of years I can always have it redone. I picked the materials and basically told him how I wanted the design. Below are the photos.
By the way, removing the wheel is a piece of cake. 10 minutes max. I disconnected the negative battery terminal and didn't even lose my radio setting. I did it with the help of a DIY on this forum.
Sorry for the quality of the photos, my phone is the only thing I had handy at work.
BTW, I have another thread going about the roundel being dented. It used to be convex until I dented it. So I pushed it in all the way and it looks pretty good now, much better than before. So now instead of having a convex roundel I have a concave roundel. Free and easy fix to the dented roundel issue.
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WOW - That looks phenomenal!
Do you happen to have the heated steering wheel - probably not since you're in Miami. If you did, I wonder how the extra material and thickness would hamper heating one in the winter time for those living in cold climates.
Do you happen to have the heated steering wheel - probably not since you're in Miami. If you did, I wonder how the extra material and thickness would hamper heating one in the winter time for those living in cold climates.
![Twoup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/twoup.gif)
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Originally Posted by luigi524td' post='818149' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:46 AM
WOW - That looks phenomenal!
Do you happen to have the heated steering wheel - probably not since you're in Miami. If you did, I wonder how the extra material and thickness would hamper heating one in the winter time for those living in cold climates.
![Twoup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/twoup.gif)
Do you happen to have the heated steering wheel - probably not since you're in Miami. If you did, I wonder how the extra material and thickness would hamper heating one in the winter time for those living in cold climates.
![Twoup](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/twoup.gif)
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My Ride: 2006 525XI, Jet black on Dakota beige. Premium and winter packages. I consider myself a purist and intend to keep my car absolutely stock and shiny.
2008 328I Convertible, Sapphire black on beige interior. Premium package, NAV, iPod adapter.
Retired: 2002 325I, Titanium silver on black leather. Premium package. Absolutely stock and proud of it.
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Great looking steering wheel. Good job.
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Originally Posted by M5Express' post='818143' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:39 AM
After much consideration I finally pulled off the steering wheel on my M5 and had it re-covered. After seeing how easy and relatively cheap it was I now wonder why I considered it for so long.
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Originally Posted by pointerman' post='818158' date='Mar 16 2009, 10:59 AM
Hmm... it doesn't look like your hands will ever be on the alcantara. Looks good, but I'm not sure the new material will do you much good where you had it installed.
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that is beautiful. I have always been disappointed with the thickness of the stock wheel, and didn't want to tackle trying to retrofit a newer wheel. This may be a really good option if I can find someone local.
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
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I think that looks great. Thanks for sharing.